Comment: Music

Updated Jan. 17, 2001 12:01 a.m. ET

What? Maazel?

Yesterday, the Washington Post rashly announced that Lorin Maazel soon would be announced the New York Philharmonic's next music director, thereby scooping -- if it really was a scoop -- the orchestra's hometown paper, the New York Times. Aghast, the orchestra plausibly denied the news, saying no negotiations have even begun. Still, New York is rife with rumors of Mr. Maazel, and all of us had better ask what we're in for in case he comes.

Ego. Excessive micromanagement of all the music he conducts. Chilly...